tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-43150479025582513282018-03-06T04:30:33.365-05:00Bike CommutingThis Will be an ongoing journal of my Bike riding.Skyershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12777617409016995792noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4315047902558251328.post-48701163082593521312011-04-07T22:41:00.002-04:002011-04-07T22:48:36.772-04:00First ContactIts Here! Its not alone.. Launch date is....4-11-11 Tick, Tick, Tick, Tick...Skyershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12777617409016995792noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4315047902558251328.post-54781081578430671022010-12-07T23:18:00.003-05:002010-12-08T00:06:11.610-05:00Totals for 2010<div align="center"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_uyjiaCSITs8/TP8P4HFeFQI/AAAAAAAAAEU/fFvms1yGxhw/s1600/photo.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 299px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5548170722592822530" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_uyjiaCSITs8/TP8P4HFeFQI/AAAAAAAAAEU/fFvms1yGxhw/s400/photo.jpg" /></a><br /><strong><span style="color:#000000;"><span style="font-size:130%;">27</span><span style="font-size:130%;">00 kms TOTAL</span></span></strong><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">all on above bike</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span><span style="color:#000000;"><strong>122 commutes to work<br />9.65 km one way to work<br />9.65 km one way home from work<br /><br /></strong>10 for fun rides<br /><br />1 Cat seen hit by car<br />1 Dog seen hit by car<br />1 replaced derailer cable [worn] </span><span style="color:#000000;"><strong>6000kms<br /></strong>1 replaced pair of Grips [Worn] <strong>6000kms</strong><br />1 replaced [broken chain x2] <strong>6000kms</strong><br />1 replaced [Worn] cassette <strong>6000kms</strong><br />1 replaced [Worn]big chainring up front </span><span style="color:#000000;"><strong>6000kms<br /></strong>3 flat tires [tack-red {front} / unknown - Black {back}x2]<br />3 close calls [Buses 2 times / Aborted looong wheelie]<br />1 repaired bungie strap<br />1 replaced bungie strap<br />1 Thermal Coolmax Shirt LOST<br />5+ students almost hit<br />2 races lost - too many to count won<br />1 non rider convereted to daily rider (<strong>72-yrs old</strong>)<br />3 days riden in Snow<br />12 days riden in rain<br /><br /><strong>Fastest Ride to Work....</strong><br />27.31 km/h average - 21.13 time </span><br /><strong><span style="color:#000000;">Average ride to Work....</span></strong><br /><span style="color:#000000;">25.42km/h average - 22.54 time<br /><br /></span><span style="color:#000000;"><strong>Fastest Ride Home From Work....<br /></strong>29.11 km/h average - 19.53 time </span><br /><strong><span style="color:#000000;">Average ride home from Work....</span></strong><br /><span style="color:#000000;">25.25km/h average - 23.21 time<br /><br />All Data recorded with logyourrun.com and cyclemeter app for iphone</span><br /></div>Skyershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12777617409016995792noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4315047902558251328.post-26529262896107780362010-02-19T18:15:00.006-05:002010-02-19T19:21:08.109-05:00Bike Commute to work costs $39.99<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_uyjiaCSITs8/S38nukZacuI/AAAAAAAAAD8/G4VkaYT3lR0/s1600-h/Bike+ride+Feb17.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 356px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_uyjiaCSITs8/S38nukZacuI/AAAAAAAAAD8/G4VkaYT3lR0/s400/Bike+ride+Feb17.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440110555884581602" /></a><br />Horray! i finally did it.<br />After almost 3 months of being injured I finaly bit the bullet and rode to work on Tues of this week. <br /><br />My hip injury has been feeling a little bit better and the surrounding muscles have not been feeling too bad. There has been a constant "ache" in my hip for the last 3 months tho. I took it easy on the ride and didn't push too hard, didn't try to race the cars and put the bike in a granny gear to slowly climb the small hills on my route..I got to work just fine. I did almost see an accident about 2.5km into my ride...here is my version. (see above Photo for reference)<br /><br />I pulled up to the intersection of Sandford and Cheapside (behind Fanshawe College)The light was red and i pulled up to the back of a SUV that was turning left. The light changed to green and the SUV pulled into the intersection. The traffic comming in the opposite direction was neverending and the light went back to red with the SUV (and me behind it) in the middle of the intersection. The SUV started to make the turn and get out of the intersection..A car that was at the front of the line in the opposite direction decided to not notice the red light and felt it was also a good time to turn right. This car did not stop at the red at all, just turned right without looking. The SUV blared on the horn and the pilot of the car looked to her left and seemed shocked that there was a SUV approx 1 foot from T-boning her drivers door... The SUV stopped, The car stopped, and i pulled up to the passenger side of the SUV (to get out of the MIDDLE of the intersection) The car driver did not know what to do. She put the car into reverse and started to back up!!! The lane she was trying to back up into was full right to the front of the intersection so the car at the front of the line started to Honk (or get backed into) at this point the car driver stopped backing up and threw up her hands, she was still blocking the SUV from continuing into the eastbound lane of cheapside. No one could go anywhere, i was now standing beside the SUV with nowhere to go either.. I yelled at the car driver to just GO! and pointed the direction that she should go. She reluctantly put the car in drive and proceeded along her way.. The SUV and i also finished making our left turns and everything was fine after that... I said to my self "welcome to the land of idiots" and got back into my riding groove. i guess Technically i should not have tried to turn left after the light was red but I feel in no way was this incident the result of a bike being on the road, I would have followed the SUV regardless of being on my bike or in my car. The oncoming car should have stopped at the red and then made her turn when it was clear to do so..All was well until i got to work.<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_uyjiaCSITs8/S38qfTTAPGI/AAAAAAAAAEE/HrkUawXl3FE/s1600-h/HPIM0941.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_uyjiaCSITs8/S38qfTTAPGI/AAAAAAAAAEE/HrkUawXl3FE/s400/HPIM0941.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440113592131140706" /></a><br />I got to work in approx 35 min (my record in the summer is 19min) Rode over to my bike box (picture is from the summer Duh!)and saw that it was basically under a snowbank. My glasses started to fog up from just standing around trying to figure out how i was going to get into it. i took them off and put them on top of the snow on top of the bike box. After some foot shoveling and extra force i was able to get the door open enough to get my bike in. I quickly gathered my stuff and rushed off the the showers..I forgot to pick up my sunglasses!!! I didnt notice until I started to get my bike out of the box for the ride home. I looked up to the spot I left my glasses and noticed footprints in the snow leading up to that spot and leaving in the opposite direction. NO GLASSES!! Grrrr i was very upset with myself for forgeting to bring them inside with me.. I proceeded to ride home with no glasses while verbally abusing myself for this stupid mistake. <br />I bought these glasses at the Toronto Bike show last March for 60% off. $39.99 was now what i would hope to pay again at this years Bike show March 6th. Grrr i am still upset about this and had my mind set to buy somthing new for my bike this year instead of buying the same thing i got last year...<br />On a Good note the ache in my hip has gone away from my hip and moved itself into my head. I could not ride on Thurs. as i had planned, due to me being home in bed wishing my head didnt hurt so much.. <br /><br />My plan is to ride my bike on Monday , Wed, and Fri. of next week. Hopefully all will go well, i will make due with my UWO issued saftey glasses untill I can get some replacements.. <br /><br />It feels good to be back on the bike even if it cost me 40 bucks.<br /><br />SS OutSkyershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12777617409016995792noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4315047902558251328.post-41201777972429007942010-02-15T18:49:00.004-05:002010-02-15T19:16:13.333-05:00Family Day Ride<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_uyjiaCSITs8/S3njxHKeJ7I/AAAAAAAAAD0/3EoUY_ENuH4/s1600-h/CIMG9501.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_uyjiaCSITs8/S3njxHKeJ7I/AAAAAAAAAD0/3EoUY_ENuH4/s320/CIMG9501.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438628457902647218" /></a><br />Went for a 12km round trip ride to my grandmothers. <br /><br />I took it easy and stopped once to stretch out my groin. Got to grandmas and did a few quick stretches before knocking. The ride home was about the same, maybe a bit more wind but non eventfull.<br /><br />Physio seems stumped about my injury, now they think it may be a couple bulging discs in my back pressing on my leg nerves. I do have slight back pain when I wake up but it seems to go away after I walk around a bit, Anyway I have been trying to sleep on my back and it seems to be working. I guess if I ever purchase a Hennesy Hammok for any long distance touring I will have to learn to sleep on my back anyway.<br /><br />I had a comment posted on my previous posting asking about the shoes in the picture.<br />here is the story on them....<br /><br />They are Nike skate shoes that are approx 2 yrs old. They were pretty trashed and about to go into the trash. I had to ride in the rain late last fall and my feet got soaked. I spent the rest of that day trying to figure out a solution.. I did not want to shell out $$ for waterproof shoes so I thought I would make my old shoes waterproof.. I put them on then layered white duct tape onto them. I then took some of my reflective tape (DOT Reflective Saftey Tape) and cut a large red patch for the backs and a small stripe at the toe. I think that a moving reflector is much more visible then a stationary one. I look like a dork when I'm walking across the parking lot at work but I'm not too concerened about that. I have rode in the rain with them and the Tape seems to be very effective at keeping out the water and the cold. In colder temps ( below -7) my toes start to get cold my remidy to this is I have cut rectangles of Kraft paper (the stuff packages are shipped in) and I fold it over my toes and jam my foot into the shoe..It works awesome. I also doesent leave any ink stains like newspaper does.<br /><br />Thats it for now. I expect to ride to work at least once this week. in the mean time I will continue stretching and iceing my leg...<br /><br />SS outSkyershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12777617409016995792noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4315047902558251328.post-2922797394989555782010-02-08T23:14:00.003-05:002010-02-08T23:41:20.092-05:001st Ride of 2010<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_uyjiaCSITs8/S3DmlDsdsZI/AAAAAAAAADs/E7q-_E7lsmE/s1600-h/CIMG9526.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_uyjiaCSITs8/S3DmlDsdsZI/AAAAAAAAADs/E7q-_E7lsmE/s320/CIMG9526.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436098274557538706" /></a><br />Finally.....The bike is back in motion. <br />I decided to test myself today by going for an easy 5km ride. I am happy to say I did not re-injure myself, however I do still have a lingering issue. Today at physio it was decided that I may have at least 1-2 bulging discs in my lower back, this is causing the leg nerves (right leg) to become irritated and cause the Hip / Thigh / Groin / pain I have been feeling. I was given new stretches and told to keep my spine as upright as I can.. So far so good.<br />I did just over 5km and it felt great to be back on the bike. I tried to take it easy and not push to hard, this was harder than I thought. I wanted to go fast, flow around the corners fight the wind and pass the cars that were going slow. <br />I got home and promptly did 10min of stretching. My leg felt weak and the muscles felt tight. The pain went away after the stretching and I was happy. I still have some pain on my sit bone and along the muscle that attaches to it running down the inner thigh but I Think with stretching an correcting my posture I should be ok.<br />I will take my change of clothes and shower items to work tommorow so I am prepared at work when I do commute to work again. <br />The bike seemed fine and had no issues to speak of. <br />The weather here for the rest of the week is calling for a large amount of snow, I won't be riding while the roads are snow covered for a few reasons....<br /><br />1 Traction issues with the bike and the cars on the road...<br /><br />2 I am pretty sure riding in the snow is much slower than the bare road so i dont think I will get to work on time..and <br /><br />Finally I really dont want to rush during my ride and hammer on the pedals too hard because I think this will re-injure myself again.<br /><br />So There you have it.. I am back to riding, Wooohooo!<br />As soon as the snow clears off the roads again I will be out there with the rest of you riders...keep it up!<br />SS Out.Skyershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12777617409016995792noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4315047902558251328.post-73494072419686604962010-01-17T21:44:00.002-05:002010-01-17T22:56:54.133-05:00Final #'s For 2009<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_uyjiaCSITs8/S1Pb78WXC6I/AAAAAAAAADk/AHg3gP3fHMc/s1600-h/CIMG9540.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_uyjiaCSITs8/S1Pb78WXC6I/AAAAAAAAADk/AHg3gP3fHMc/s320/CIMG9540.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5427923798770256802" /></a><br />Its been almost 7 weeks since my last bike ride.... I think I might be ready to ride again..<br />I am feeling a bit better lately.. My Physio guy thinks stretches and exersize might fix the <a href="http://www.sportsherniasouth.com/Sports-Hernia-Surgery.html">Sports hernia</a> that he thinks I have.. I am not yet convinced about that but there is/was some goofy shit going on in my hip...<br /><br />I am thinking about riding to work again on Tuesday, Why Tuesday?? because thats when my next physio appt is...Teo will see first hand what is going on if riding to work messes it up. I feel like an ass when he asks whats wrong and its not currently hurting.. sometimes I think its rotting away from the inside out and other times it feels perfectly fine.<br /><br />So I have the Final #'s in from last year.. The bike riding summary is as follows<br /><br />Total Days that I rode my bike...99 out of 365 = 27% of the days<br />Total Days that I rode to work...85 out of 365 = 23% of the days<br />Total Km's = 1971.7<br />Most Km's in 1 month = 402km (September)<br />Longest ride in 1 day = 82km (almost to Port Stanley)<br />85 of 99 rides were Commutes to work = 85% of the rides<br />Close calls with Cars / Busses = 4<br />Flat tires = 2<br />MTB Rides = 6<br />Times I was passed by another bike rider = 2<br />Times I passed another rider = over 20<br />Rides With Son = 7<br />Rides with Daughter = 6 (Trail a Bike)<br />Compliments on my reflective visibility and safe riding style = 2<br />Parts replaced on bike = (1) Grips.<br /><br />Modifications through out year. = Added red tires after 500km untill fall, added lots of reflective tape to front and rear of bike. Painted a few small parts red to match tires. Added flashlight zip tied to bars. Added Grips (White) Switched tires to urban Knobby tread in late fall. Added Front fender in fall (Vintage fender from old womens ccm 700c wheels hybrid that I saw in the garbage. Trail a bike seatpost attachment. <br /><br />Next post will be after Tues....<br />SS outSkyershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12777617409016995792noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4315047902558251328.post-67629086445174498802009-12-17T23:07:00.002-05:002009-12-17T23:56:49.758-05:00Only 28.3 kms to go!!!1971.7 km. That's my total Km's for the year. <br />I don't think I will get to reach my goal of 2000.<br /><br />I have gone to see the Dr's and had an appt at Physio.<br /><br />I have Pulled my Hamstring and have very poor Core Muscle strength in the hip area. This may be what is causing the hip issue.<br />I have Stretches to do and strengthening exercises as well. I go back first thing Monday morning so I will get a better Idea then when I can ride again.<br />This is most likely a hockey injury that was caused by the weak core Muscles.<br /><br />I almost forgot the best part. The physiotherapist recommended clipless pedals if I am going to be putting up big km's just for the balance aspects of my leg muscles. Push Push Push currently....Push Pull Push Pull if I get clipless.. I will have to check out this option as I have all ways been a hater of the clipless.<br /><br />If I do another ride to work this year it will still leave me 9.3km from my goal.<br />I don't think that I can/should do 2 more rides this year either.<br />I have alot of Bike plans for next year that I don't want to jeopardize by getting in 2 more rides just for the sake of a number and potentially risking greater or more permanent Injury.<br />I will just have to aim for a bigger and better goal next year.....I'm thinking at least Double this years goal. My biggest Month this year was 400km so theoretically I could accomplish 12x400km in a year if I went super hardcore....hmmmmm (psst...its 4800km)<br /><br />Wow I never thought about it that way yet......4800! that's a pretty big number, props to anyone that can put up that kind of numbers on commuting alone.<br /><br />So I have been off the bike for about 3weeks, I miss it alot.<br />There are some things that I find I am glad I don't have to do if I don't ride.<br /><br />Things like...<br />1-Check the weather every night so I can prepare my attire for the morning.<br />2-Prepare my attire for the morning, I usually have to alter it anyway from the night before.<br />3-Spend at least 10 min. getting dressed to ride to/from Work.<br />4-Rush to get the Morning kid deliveries done quickly so I don't have to rush on the bike.<br />5-Rush to get to work in time to have a shower and still not be late to my desk.<br />6-Packing my bag strategically so my gear/clothes and my "never big enough" lunch all fit.<br />7-Bruised apples and bananas.<br />8-Replace batteries!!!<br />9-2 extra loads of laundry a week<br />10-Hungry all the time.<br /><br />These are just things that I have thought to myself in the last few weeks, Please Understand that I will gladly do all these things again as soon as I am cleared to ride again.<br /><br />Time to go Stretch.Skyershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12777617409016995792noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4315047902558251328.post-3018012491772291922009-12-06T21:06:00.000-05:002009-12-06T22:08:36.942-05:00Expired health Card!?!?<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_uyjiaCSITs8/Sxxwg-PARuI/AAAAAAAAACg/15iDrAC3jJs/s1600-h/Untitled-2+copy.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 253px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412324563956549346" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_uyjiaCSITs8/Sxxwg-PARuI/AAAAAAAAACg/15iDrAC3jJs/s400/Untitled-2+copy.jpg" /></a><br /><div></div><br /><div>I am pretty sure what my hip issue is...</div><br /><div><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Snapping_hip_syndrome">Snapping Hip Syndrome</a></div><br /><div><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Snapping_hip_syndrome"></a></div><br /><div>I looks like it is a rather common injury and I will be able to recover with only Stretches and Physical Therapy. (Self Diagnosis) </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>However in this article it says I should <a href="http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/87659-treatment">stop cycling</a>... </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>I agree but I can't let the 2000km mark slip out of my reach. </div><br /><div>I will Ride <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">Tomorrow</span> and see how things feel. If I feel <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">ok</span> I will play hockey as well. If not I will hold off on the cycling for a while. If I ride <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">tomorrow</span> I will only need 56 more <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">kms</span> to hit 2000 <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">km's</span> (There Might be snow on the ground!! <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">I'm</span> excited!)</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Oh ya the part about the health card... I took it out of my wallet to make sure I had it ready for a <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">Dr</span>. visit..... its expired!! I will have to go downtown <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">sometime</span> this week to get it renewed, Then I will put in a call to the Fine Dr's at the <a href="http://www.fowlerkennedy.com/">Fowler Clinic</a>..</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>I am Bummed to be injured but happy that I should be <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-error">ok</span> in the long run</div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div>Skyershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12777617409016995792noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4315047902558251328.post-3591070111259757982009-12-04T22:41:00.001-05:002009-12-06T22:51:18.512-05:00Injury Recovery ModeI think I have over worked and under stretched my leg Muscles. I think my hip issue is related and after an hour long massage of my right thigh last night it feels 1000% better!. I need to find a good set of stretches to do after riding....hmmmm.<br />Ok I found this that I am going to try tomorrow..<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/hL7MCbMMpBQ&amp;hl=en_US&amp;fs=1&amp;"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><br /><br /><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/hL7MCbMMpBQ&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br />I will post how this helps, I have high hopes..<br /><br />My last ride home was an Interesting one...it was Thursday night approx 4:50 as I rode through campus.. There was about 8 cars in a loading spot near SSC , the same spot usually only has 3 cars at it..I was wearing my Safety glasses so I could see as it was Dark due to the heavy cloud cover and drizzle. There wasn't any thing too exciting until I got to Highbury and Cheapside.. these things always happen in 3's ....<br /><br />1.<br />I had to pass a parked car on its left while there was heavy traffic also in my direction. it made me think " Why i<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_uyjiaCSITs8/SxniynNfTpI/AAAAAAAAABw/87bffaNkHME/s1600-h/Parking+spots.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 524px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 345px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411605786409258642" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_uyjiaCSITs8/SxniynNfTpI/AAAAAAAAABw/87bffaNkHME/s400/Parking+spots.jpg" /></a>s there a parking spot here?? it is approx 300M from the closest structure of any kind, it is exactly in the bike path and serves no purpose. I always see cars at this spot in the mornings and wonder " WTF is a car doing parked there??" I assume it is Fanshawe students getting a free semi close to school parking spot... its Dumb and I thought I should write a letter to the city and get these spots removed.<br />They are the only parking spots on the whole stretch of road for a long ways, they are not close to anything, they are in the bike path, there have been head on crashes in that very spot recently (there was no car in the parking spot at the time).<br /><br />2. A Red Monte Carlo pulled out of fanshawe parking lot right in front of me. I was watching him and knew he hadn't seen me so I slowed down ....then slowed a bunch more...Came to a stop. The Monte Carlo did not see me at all. The driver only saw me as he l<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_uyjiaCSITs8/SxnlVQ1hE2I/AAAAAAAAAB4/luw0VURXUmQ/s1600-h/f_17429789_1.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411608580721808226" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_uyjiaCSITs8/SxnlVQ1hE2I/AAAAAAAAAB4/luw0VURXUmQ/s400/f_17429789_1.jpg" /></a>ooked left once he was already entirely in my lane, when he finally did see me I was standing on the ground with 2 feet and my front tire was approx 1 foot from his car....He looked shocked as Both my headlights lit up his face...<br /><br />3 Second St. right in front of the school a object was barley noticeable in the bike lane ahead of me.... As i caught up to it I thought it was a stroller, no wait a small golf cart...no.... a 4 whee<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_uyjiaCSITs8/Sxnmxp8mPoI/AAAAAAAAACI/3poVPeolHoE/s1600-h/4-wheel-bike.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411610168010358402" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_uyjiaCSITs8/Sxnmxp8mPoI/AAAAAAAAACI/3poVPeolHoE/s400/4-wheel-bike.jpg" /></a>led scooter???... no it was a small 4 wheeled pedal bike. it looked like it was off a merry go round. I told the Driver/rider that he needed a light and was invisible from behind.. he yelled back and said he did have a light. he seemed very agitated too.. like he was sick of people honking at him for being extremely hard to be seen. it looked like the picture except no roof and I think it had more "Body" panels on it (It was Dark) The Bike Did have a large front light on but I could not see it at all from the back.<br /><br /><br />Some Pictures of how I look at night.<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_uyjiaCSITs8/Sxnomdm5DvI/AAAAAAAAACY/BM1FHuKE_tc/s1600-h/Night+Back.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411612174742785778" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_uyjiaCSITs8/Sxnomdm5DvI/AAAAAAAAACY/BM1FHuKE_tc/s400/Night+Back.jpg" /></a> As you can see I am a fan of the reflective tape. There is a red blinkie attached the the left rear dropout but the reflective tape over powers it and it is very hard to see in the picture..The small white stripe between my legs is actually the from the front fender.<br /><br /><p><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_uyjiaCSITs8/Sxnol6Cq61I/AAAAAAAAACQ/DoFnrTIUz80/s1600-h/Night+front.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411612165195623250" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_uyjiaCSITs8/Sxnol6Cq61I/AAAAAAAAACQ/DoFnrTIUz80/s400/Night+front.jpg" /></a></p><p>This is the Front view...I think I am more than obvious, however i do see room for improvement namely the fronts of the shoulders could see the reflective tape treatment soon. I have Reflective tape on my Helmet Visor, Vest, Knuckles of Gloves, Head tube, Top of Forks, And the Toes of my shoes.. I think I stand out pretty good..in fact I have had 2 different drivers compliment me on my visibility at night. " I could see you from miles away".</p><p>So i am taking it easy for a few days and will try those stretches.. if they work i will be back riding 4 out of 5 days a week.</p><p>Skyers</p>Skyershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12777617409016995792noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4315047902558251328.post-72620497291932739312009-12-01T23:17:00.000-05:002009-12-01T23:57:06.284-05:00My Commute 2000<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_uyjiaCSITs8/SxXy9cvQF5I/AAAAAAAAABo/SX0nnUwxgbY/s1600-h/CIMG7112.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410497664855840658" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_uyjiaCSITs8/SxXy9cvQF5I/AAAAAAAAABo/SX0nnUwxgbY/s400/CIMG7112.JPG" /></a><br /><div>Some info about my bike commute to Work. </div><br /><div>my Ride is 10km each way, it takes me from east london out past the UWO Campus. I do not have a bicycle computer on my bike, I know my distances from using a program called "Log my run" and also "ride with GPS". My ride is 99.5% on the road with traffic,</div><br /><div>I have almost reach a major milestone in my Bike commuting....I am 4 round trip commutes away from 2000 kms so far this year!!!! I have been riding lately rain or shine / warm or cold. With only 76km to go to hit 2000km I feel compelled to keep riding no matter what.</div><br /><div>My ride has a few small inclines but nothing too serious. The fastest hill has helped me reach a top speed of 64km/h on my old MTB. </div><br /><div>This year I have seen a Police chase, A line up of approx 300 people waiting to get the H1 Shot, Another cyclst pull up at the same intersection as me and foget they were clipped in...TIMBER!!!! they were ok but it was funny as hell.</div><br /><div>The craziest thing i have seen is a Head on Collision approx 100ft away from me.</div><br /><div>I have had only a few close calls, Most recently an Aboutown bus Pinched me off the road on the first day of the bus strike. Only a few others that almost gave me a "right hook" but I avoided them by paying better attention then they were! </div><br /><div>My Bike is a MTB w/Discs Converted to commuter duty, I have added a rear rack, hip pack/handle bar bag, Bell, Light, Rear Blinkie, Front fender from an old 700c bike I found in the garbage, And lots of Reflective tape. I just recently took my 1.5 slicks kwest tires off and put some small knobbied tires that I borrowed from my wifes bike.</div><br /><div>I plan on hitting 2000km early next week due to a few days that I have to drive to work. Im not sure what I will do to celebrate.</div><br /><div>Thats all for now.</div><br /><div></div>Skyershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12777617409016995792noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4315047902558251328.post-58895365216282135962009-11-30T23:25:00.000-05:002009-11-30T23:34:57.320-05:00My First Post<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_uyjiaCSITs8/SxScvn6tA7I/AAAAAAAAABg/XuJcSGkAOxI/s1600/HPIM0898.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410121394361795506" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_uyjiaCSITs8/SxScvn6tA7I/AAAAAAAAABg/XuJcSGkAOxI/s400/HPIM0898.JPG" /></a><br /><div>I am new to this blogging and hope I can keep it updated..<br />I plan to post about the following:<br />My Rides to and from work.<br />My Old School BMX History.<br />My Injuries<br />My Bike<br />My Bike Attire<br />Favorite Sites for biking<br />Future Biking Plans<br />and other Bike related stuff as i think of it. </div>Skyershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12777617409016995792noreply@blogger.com0